Join researche rs, policymakers and other professionals working on polar issues for the 2026 Polar Social Sciences and Humanities (PSSH) in the Netherlan ds meeting at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
This year’s meeting will explore some of the most pressing social and political q uestions facing the Arctic, from climate change and security to geopo litical tensions and resilience. It will also create space to meet ot hers in the Dutch polar research community, exchange ideas and explor e opportunities for future collaboration.
The meeting is organi sed by the Dutch representatives of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Social and Human Working Group, Özlem Terzi (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and Annette Scheepstra (University of Groning en). This year’s edition is supported through a collaboration betwe en the Arctic Change Research Cluster of the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) and seed funding from the VU Centre for Defence and Resilient Society.
What to expect
The mo rning programme brings together researchers and policymakers, includi ng representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence and Clingendael, for a conversation about security in the Ar ctic. What old and new security challenges are emerging, and how are they connected to climate change, geopolitics and resilience ?
The programme will bring together updates and opportunities f or collaboration in Arctic and Antarctic research. Topics include dev elopments within the Arctic Council and Sustainable Development Worki ng Group, IASC funding opportunities, and updates from the Netherland s Polar Programme. Participants will also discuss preparations for th e International Polar Year, Antarctic tourism research and TRANSACT, and opportunities for collaboration in social sciences and humanities , with breakout sessions dedicated to developing ideas for future joi nt proposals.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to collaborati on within Dutch polar social sciences and humanities. Participants wi ll hear about funding opportunities, developments within the Arctic C ouncil, preparations for the International Polar Year and plans for t he Netherlands Polar Day in spring 2027.
There will also be opp ortunities to exchange ideas in smaller groups, identify shared resea rch interests and explore possibilities for developing future proposa ls together.
Who should join the meeting?
The meeting is open to researchers, policymakers and professi onals interested in polar social sciences and humanities. Whether you are already active in polar research or looking to connect your work to the field, you are warmly invited to join the conversation.
How to register?
Registration takes place via email so that Özlem can answer any questions you may have and learn a little more about the backgrounds and interests of participants. T he event aims to bring together not only attendees for the day, but a community of researchers and professionals who can stay connected, e xchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration in the year s ahead.
To secure your spot, click the “Sign up via email” button at the top of this page. You can copy Özlem ’s email address and contact her directly at o.terzi@vu.nl.
DESCRIPTION: Join researchers, policymakers and other profession als working on polar issues for the 2026 Polar Social Sciences and Hu manities (PSSH) in the Netherlands meeting at Vrije Universiteit Amst erdam. This year’s meeting will explore some of the most pressing s ocial and political questions facing the Arctic, from climate change and security to geopolitical tensions and resilience. It will also cr eate space to meet others in the Dutch polar research community, exch ange ideas and explore opportunities for future collaboration.The mee ting is organised by the Dutch representatives of the International A rctic Science Committee (IASC) Social and Human Working Group, Özlem Terzi (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and Annette Scheepstra (Univers ity of Groningen). This year’s edition is supported through a colla boration between the Arctic Change Research Cluster of the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute (ASI) and seed funding from the VU Centre fo r Defence and Resilient Society.What to expectThe mo rning programme brings together researchers and policymakers, includi ng representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence and Clingendael, for a conversation about security in the Ar ctic. What old and new security challenges are emerging, and how are they connected to climate change, geopolitics and resilience ?The programme will bring together updates and opportunities for coll aboration in Arctic and Antarctic research. Topics include developmen ts within the Arctic Council and Sustainable Development Working Grou p, IASC funding opportunities, and updates from the Netherlands Polar Programme. Participants will also discuss preparations for the Inter national Polar Year, Antarctic tourism research and TRANSACT, and opp ortunities for collaboration in social sciences and humanities, with breakout sessions dedicated to developing ideas for future joint prop osals.In the afternoon, the focus shifts to collaboration within Dutc h polar social sciences and humanities. Participants will hear about funding opportunities, developments within the Arctic Council, prepar ations for the International Polar Year and plans for the Netherlands Polar Day in spring 2027.There will also be opportunities to exchang e ideas in smaller groups, identify shared research interests and exp lore possibilities for developing future proposals together.W ho should join the meeting? The meeting is open to rese archers, policymakers and professionals interested in polar social sc iences and humanities. Whether you are already active in polar resear ch or looking to connect your work to the field, you are warmly invit ed to join the conversation.How to register?Registra tion takes place via email so that Özlem can answer any questions yo u may have and learn a little more about the backgrounds and interest s of participants. The event aims to bring together not only attendee s for the day, but a community of researchers and professionals who c an stay connected, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for colla boration in the years ahead.To secure your spot, click the � �Sign up via email” button at the top of this page. You ca n copy Özlem’s email address and contact her directly at o .terzi@vu.nl. END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR